Still thinking that Ukulele and Guitar are like twin brothers. Yes, it’s true for some reasons and completely untrue for some causes. If you are planning to learn one of these two instruments, then your decision is not going to be easy for you.
As soon as you have made up your choice, you have already understood investing both money and time on the instrument of your selection. Therefore, you should learn more about the two instruments in making a quality decision. Here we have collected fruitful worthy information that could help you make a suitable decide.
We are going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about these instruments, ukulele and guitar. So, what are we waiting for? Let the fun BEGIN!
Do Ukulele and Guitar make Same Sound?
We know that you are not attracted to the guitar’s or ukulele’s body. Obviously, you are attracted to their sound. These two musical instruments generate a completely different sound. The main difference is their tone.
A guitar makes a broad and low-pitched tone, but on the other side, ukulele sounds sharp and high-pitched. Various factors are directly responsible for the variation in the sound of these instruments like body size, the quality of the strings, bridge (wooden or metallic), and manufacturers.
The Sound of Guitar:
As guitars, because they have bigger wooden bodies, so they make a louder and broader sound as compared to the sound of the ukulele. The guitar’s sound has a deeper bass and larger pitch range due to its strings are more stretched. Moreover, guitarists use pick to play their instrument that’s why the guitar’s sound is crispy clear and bright. Overall, the sound feels more modern revolution.
The Sound of Ukulele:
With the shorter body, the ukulele has a quiet, treble-focused and smoother tone. Most of the musicians describe the sound of the ukulele as gentle and sweet. The string tension is very low as compared to guitars. Overall, the sound feels more of a classic tradition. If we are comparing, the guitar will be CD player and the ukulele is the classic black record player.
Ukulele and Guitar’s Body Size Differs?
There is a very obvious difference in their sizes. Mostly guitars are 50%-65% bigger than ukuleles. A bunch of aspects like volume, tone, and comfort is affected by the instrument’s size. Sizes are different for different manufacturers, but you will see a very obvious size difference in ukuleles and guitars.
In general, most ukulele, often known for their three popular sizes (soprano, concert and tenor), and they do have an uncommon fourth size (baritone), which is the largest size of the ukulele.
No, we cannot use the same strings in both of the instruments. The actual number of strings is different from these instruments. Guitars have 6 strings and on the other hand, ukuleles have 4 strings only. As ukulele has fewer strings as compared to a guitar therefore, it is easy to handle and play.
Considering the chords, there are some same as well as completely different chords for these two instruments. Guitars and ukuleles come with a range of strings like 8-strings ukuleles are also available in the market, but the standard is a 4-string ukulele.
Types of Strings for These Instruments
The string quality of these two musical instruments is different. Strings of guitar are usually high tension, loud and made of metal (mostly copper). On the other side, Ukulele’s strings are low-tone, softer and made of nylon. Strings of ukulele are softer and less tight as compared to the strings of a guitar. That’s why most of the people get to learn ukulele so quick.
How These Instruments are Tuned?
Ukuleles and guitars have their different standard tuning, but somehow, they are related also. If you put your finger on the fourth fret of the guitar – it will sound like a ukulele.
· Standard Ukulele Tuning: G-C-E-A
· Standard Guitar Tuning: E-A-G-D-B-E
There are some similarities in their tuning – so, they make the same sound for some particular chords. For instance, the D-chord works fine for both guitar and ukulele.
Price Comparison
Price is genuinely a variant when we are talking about musical instruments like Ukuleles and guitars. Prices are completely different for different manufacturers and companies. For example, you can get a beginner level FENDER acoustic guitar for $60-$80 but beginner level YAMAHA acoustic guitar would cost you +$100.
On the other side, a standard level ukulele would cost you around $60. It would be pretty decent and functional if you are going to buy a ukulele for the very first time. But keep it in mind that if you are looking for an instrument for your kid then you can get a kid’s guitar – it would cost you much lesser.
Last but not least: Which will take less time to learn?
The learning procedure is completely different for different users and players. Here we are talking about a general perspective. The ukulele is easy to learn because it is not that complex. It is easy to handle, play and tune.
Here’s a quick overview:
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Strings are much softer and low-. Your fingers won’t hurt that much at the beginning. - In general, the ukulele has only four strings, but on the other side – a guitar has six strings. Obviously, it is easier to play a 4-strings instrument than a 6-strings instrument.
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Ukulele is much smaller in size; it is easy to handle and grip. - Ukuleles could be tuned far better than guitars.
Let’s take ukulele for examples since I have been building ukulele for few decades.
One of the unavoidable issues when purchasing any ukulele is whether to go with one made of strong wood or laminate. This is particularly valid for acoustic-electric ukuleles, since individuals are bound to need to play them out in the open and need the most ideal sound.
The experienced ukulele player says that solid wood is better, yet this isn’t really valid for an acoustic-electric ukulele. This article will talk about the upsides and downsides of each.
Laminate Wood Ukuleles
“Laminate” implies that, as opposed to being made out of one solid bit of wood, the ukulele is made out of different meager sheets of wood squeezed together, similarly that pressed wood is made. This makes a material that still demonstrations a great deal like strong wood, yet is a lot less expensive to make.
PROS:
- Price is much more affordable
- Compatible and durable
- Adopted by weathers and climate
- Sounded great if played closely one on one audience
CONS:
- Less volume
- Less resounding
- Weaker if audience are listening from distance
Most “newbie” and reasonable ukuleles are made out of solid wood. At times, individuals think this implies overlay wood is terrible, or that cover wood ukuleles are shoddy. This isn’t valid in any way! Truth be told, some better-quality ukuleles like the Martin X Series use overlay wood.
Also, well-regarded brands like Kala, Lanikai, and OHANA all make extremely mainstream ukuleles from laminate wood.
One major advantage of laminate wood is that it’s progressively sturdy and splits less simple in outrageous climate. On the off chance that you live in a freezing or warm region, or will be voyaging a ton with the ukulele, cover may be the most ideal approach.
Numerous individuals purchase acoustic-electric ukuleles so as to happen at gigs or open mics. Sturdiness can be a key factor in a bustling bar or when stacking and dumping your ukulele from vehicle to scene and back once more.
Solid Wood Ukuleles
Numerous individuals consider solid wood as the “Holi Grail” of ukulele making, and in light of current circumstances. By and large, solid wood ukuleles have more reverberation, volume, and a more extravagant tone than cover wood ukuleles.
PROS:
- More volume
- More extravagant and progressively resounding tone
- Tone improves after some time
CONS:
- Progressively inclined to distort and breaking
- Less sturdy
- Progressively costly
This can be significant in case you’re anticipating playing your acoustic-electric ukulele unplugged a ton. Ukulele jams and conventional Hawaiian KANIKAPILA can be fun, yet bringing an intensifier is normally disapproved of! In case you’re anticipating playing acoustic a ton, it merits investigating strong wood ukuleles.
One extraordinary thing about solid wood ukuleles is that they improve with age! As the years go on, the sap in the wood solidify, making a considerably progressively thunderous and energetic tone.
Envision, an instrument that improves with you! The larger issue with solid wood ukuleles other than cost is upkeep. Strong wood ukuleles are a major more delicate than overlay wood ukuleles, and can’t be thumped around to such an extent. They can likewise be progressively inclined to twisting and breaking if the temperature or moistness changes rapidly, or in outrageous climate conditions.
This shouldn’t be exaggerated, since a decent case and a humidifier will for the most part be sufficient for even the hardest atmosphere, yet it means that you have to place somewhat more care into your strong wood ukulele.
Strong Top Ukuleles
The vast majority of the tone creation in a ukulele originates from the top. Things being what they are, the reason not simply make the top strong wood, to exploit the improved tone and reverberation, while keeping the back and side overlay? That is the thing that a great deal of ukulele creators does, and it works superbly!
PROS:
- The majority of the tone of an all-strong wood ukulele
- More affordable than all-strong wood
- More sturdy than all-strong wood
CONS:
- Somewhat less volume and reverberation acoustically than all-strong wood
- More costly than an all-overlay ukulele
- Top still needs same upkeep as an all-strong wood ukulele
Strong top ukuleles are typically somewhat more costly than all-overlay wood ukuleles, yet less expensive than all-strong wood ukuleles. Despite everything you recover the strength on the and sides, presumably the territories well on the way to get thumped around, while as yet getting the greater part of the advantages of strong wood.
There are a couple of penances in tone and volume because of the overlay back and sides, however, for an acoustic-electric ukulele, this is less of an issue. By and large, strong top ukuleles may be the best bargain for a ton of players searching for an acoustic-electric ukulele that will sound pleasant, however won’t burn up all available resources.
Final Words
We must understand, the ukulele is not the enemy of guitar. They are both completely different instruments. During the research and experiences, I found that guitar players learn ukulele are much faster in learning. And from ukulele switching to guitar also is a smooth transition. For those who are planning to buy a ukulele, we definitely suggest staying away from any cheap ukulele instrument. And you probably not need to buy $1,000 or $2,000 ukulele either. Do not let fancy design or appearances fools you when buying. Because those high gloss or fancy stuffs will off-balance the true sounds of ukulele beauty.